2025 Australian Elder Retreat – Taking the Wisdom Journey Home!

Donnelly River Village | November 17-21, 2025

Our world, including Crucible, needs servant elders – those who model and share their godly character and serve willingly and intentionally. It’s time for us to shift out of our first half of life’s “heroic journey”- that which got us where we are – to the second half of life’s “wisdom journey”, where we bring openhanded grace to share what we have learned with wisdom and humility. It’s easy to become old without maturity, to be opinionated without understanding, and wanting respect without having earned it. This retreat will initiate us on our elder journey together to grow as men of character, acceptance, and understanding. This retreat will help us bring our eldership with purpose and intentionality into our worlds.

When: Monday, Nov. 17 – Retreat begins 7:00pm (arrive any time 4:30-5:30pm) to Thursday Nov. 21 – 3:00pm approximately.  (Optional departure Friday Nov. 22 by 10:00am)  

 

Where: Donnelly River Village. (3 hours 30 minutes from Perth Intl. Airport) Carpool from Perth can be arranged.

 

Cost: $895

 

Retreat Eligibility:

  1. TCP Retreat Elders, or
  2. Initiated men who are committed to living out eldership in their communities, or
  3. Other men who are committed to living out eldership in their communities.

For those fitting the above eligibility criteria, priority will be given to men aged 55+.

Maximum retreat count: 26 men

About the retreat (what to expect):

  • Housing will be in Donnelly River Village accommodation. Expect to share a bedroom and bathroom in a nicer facility. We’ll be utilising all of the sleeping possibilities the site provides which may range from futons, bunks or twin beds to king beds. One man per bed. Unless you choose to stay up talking, sleep should be adequate.
  • Meals will be prepared by Crucible Men of Service, eaten together, and we will rotate in to assist before and after meal times. Meals will be a little nicer than adequate.
  • This weekend will have an initiatory arc while also having the energy of second level weekends where we all form the weekend container as initiated men.
  • Like all TCP retreats there will be a combination of large group, small group, individual exercises, and solo time for work and contemplation. At times you may be able to choose from more than one option of learning experiences.
  • Donnelly is nestled between the Blackwood River Valley and the Southern Forests regions and an easy drive through the forest to the charming Bridgetown, Nannup and Manjimup townships. There will be time to explore the Village precint, walk along the forest tracks and trails, and sit outside and enjoy the Australian wildlife.
  • The retreat and this venue are a respite from the daily grind. There are no TVs, phones or internet and the village is out of mobile phone range. There will be an emergency number and limited access to a phone.
  • It’s November in WA. It could be rainy, hot or it could be cool. Pack accordingly.
  • Our meeting venue at Donnelly River is pictured below

Application Form (click here)

Applications will be reviewed within 3 weeks of submission and acceptance will be confirmed shortly thereafter. Once confirmed, you will be asked to pay a deposit of $100 to secure your place. 

Places will go to the first 26 men who meet the criteria for this retreat, and who pay their deposit of $100.  A waiting list will be established when the retreat is full.

While this retreat will be based on contemplative Christian principles, there is no expectation that participants need hold Christian faith in order to experience this elder initiation. 

Expect to receive pre-retreat assignments, packing list, and directions to the facility upon acceptance and payment of deposit. There may be additional communications about travel and other retreat preparations. Full payment is due by 31 October.